Israeli settlers prevented
Palestinian
farmers from planting their
lands east of Bethlehem on
Friday morning.
Farmer Hassan Asakra told Ma'an that a group of farmers
headed to their lands, which are located near the Israeli
settlement of Teqoa, accompanied by solidarity activists to
plant olive trees, but settlers prevented them with the help
of Israeli forces.
The group was prevented despite having permits to access
the land from the liaisons office, Asakra said.
He added that settlers brought cypress saplings to plant on
the land, suggesting an attempt to claim the area for
themselves.
The incident is the second time this week that settlers have
prevented Asakra from planting his lands, after a similar
incident on Sunday.
Israeli settlers often harass Palestinian farmers who live
near settlements and target local olive trees for destruction.
As a result, solidarity delegations of foreigners frequently
accompany local farmers to protect them from attack.
Threats and intimidation, however, often continue despite
their presence.
In 2013, there were 399 incidents of settler violence against
Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, according to the UN
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
Over 90 percent of investigations into settler violence by
Israeli police do not lead to an indictment.
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